Abstract

A Western Cape Provincial Reference Group compiled this guideline for use in the Western Cape Province of South Africa with contributions from staff of the health facilities and academic institutions in the province. It was accredited by the Western Cape Clinical Guidelines Advisory Committee, established by the Provincial Government to advise on matters related to the development of clinical guidelines that deal with interventions provided at all levels of care, and to accredit those guidelines that meet pre-specified standards or criteria. Professor J Volmink, the director of the South African Cochrane Centre, chairs the advisory group.

For the purpose of this guideline, induction of labour is defined as an intervention designed to artificially initiate uterine contractions leading to progressive dilatation of the cervix and delivery of the baby, from 28 weeks of gestation onwards (the legal gestational age of fetal viability). This will include induction of labour in women with intact membranes and women with spontaneous rupture of membranes but who are not in labour. Induction of labour is only indicated when it is agreed that the mother or fetus will benefit from a higher probability of a healthy outcome than if the birth is delayed.